It's understandable that fast-food employees want to be paid more. Living off minimum wage can be a grim business, particularly if you're self-supporting or supporting a family. A budget developed and released by McDonald's and Visa last month assumed that any McDonald's employee would also work a second full-time (or near full-time) job in order to make ends meet.

Furthermore, it's not just minimum-wage employees who should be frustrated: Taxpayers should also be upset because minimum-wage employees are more likely to rely on government assistance.

According to a May study by the Democratic staff of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, "a single 300-person Wal-Mart Supercenter store in Wisconsin likely costs taxpayers at least $904,542 per year," thanks to Medicaid costs. McDonald's may still have a dollar menu, but some of that money consumers are saving is simply being shifted to their eventual tax burden.

Wage-hike drawbacks

But mandating a new minimum wage would likely lead to fewer jobs being created in the future, and it would make for a tough job market for teenagers. According to the Employment Policies Institute, "for every 10% increase in the minimum wage, teen employment at small businesses is estimated to decrease by 4.6% to 9%." For teens, it's far better to have a job at current minimum wage than no job at all, especially since they have little or no experience in the workplace.

Importance of tips

Instead of changing laws, fast-food workers should look to change corporate cultures. One idea would be to pressure fast-food companies to allow tip jars, so that people who wanted to pass on more to the workers had a way to do so. Already, many waiters and food delivery workers rely on tips.

Another way would be to encourage formation of an organization that certified or recognized publicly fast-food companies paying workers higher wages, so that consumers could choose to patronize the higher-paying companies more.

Sure, that might lead to higher food prices, but as fair trade and green-friendly products have shown, consumers can be willing to pay more if they approve of the company's approach. There's also evidence from Panera Bread's pay-what-you-want cafes, and for a while in the St. Louis area, one pay-what-you-want menu item (turkey chili bread bowl), that people can be willing to pay a little more if they think the extra will help benefit another struggling person.

As a teen, I worked at Burger King and saw firsthand how tough the work can be. (If you're doubtful, try simultaneously filling soda cups, taking an order, and giving change at a drive-through window during the lunch rush sometime.)

Sure, fast-food workers should consider getting more education and/or skills so that they command higher wages at other jobs. But fast-food companies also should take a hard look at their budgets and find ways to boost their employees' earnings.

Katrina Trinko writes for National Review and is a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors.

In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes diverse opinions from outside writers, including our Board of Contributors.